Boat or other vehicle



May 3, 1938.

c. R. LIVERMON 2,115,864

BOAT OR OTHER VEHICLE Filed May 21, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1 INVENTOR Qvggg sgs 4 uri R.Z,'verm 91u 2 i147 ATTORNEY y 1933- c. R. LIVERMON 2,115,864

BOAT OR OTHER VEHICLE Filed ma 21, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 'INVENTOR WITNESSES arlR.l 6uei'rnpn/ 0. BY

ATTORNEY May 3, 1938. c. R. LIVERMON BOAT OR OTHER VEHICLE Filed May 21, 1935 s Sheets-Shet 3 ZZZ? , lNyENTOR Carl R.Lzvermon ugv E BY MM;

A'ITOR WITNESS s Patented May 3, 1938 i i 4 i UNITED STATES PENT "FFIQE BOAT on o'rmia VEHICLE Carl B. Liver-mun, Roxobel, N. 0. Application any 21, 1935, Serial No. 22,620 2': Glaims. (Cl. e-i) This invention relates to improvements in the following specification, reference being had boats, and its objects are as follows: tothe accompanying drawings in whichv First, to provide a boat equipped with wheels Figure 1 is a side elevation of a boat, showing for the purpose of enabling transportation of the one of a pair of wheels with which it is equipped boat over Land, as for example when attached to for its transportation over land.

an automobile or other towing vehicle, one of Figure 2 is a cross section taken on the line the chief characteristics '01 the wheels being a 2-2 of Figure 1. detachable mounting therefor which enables the Figure 3 s an n a ed ectional detail of emergency use of the detached wheels as life ne f the r kets, p ul y ll n a preservers. portion of the detachable wheel mounting. 10 Second, to provide a boat with wheels intended Figure 4 is a vert al s ti n taken n the line primarily for its transportation over land and e M Of ure 3- subsequent launching when a body of water is Figure 5 is a o s Section Similar to Figure reached, these wheels being attached with 9, illustrating a modification hereinafter described.

16 mounting that enables the removal of the Figure 6 S a detail ct o w o a further wheeis after the boat is once s t afl at, modification illustrating a simplification in the Third, to provide means in the foregoing debracket structure tachable mounting which will facilitate the re- Fi 7 is a s ct nal v ew of a modification placement of the wh el prior t ai r i g illustrating a latch arrangement as well as a 2 Fourth, to carry out several varieties of mech- F re 8 1S d e l ti li t k n S stan i ly anical arrangements in the detachable mounting, o e e M of ure the choice of one oi! these-being governed largely Figure 9 s a det il Ve t al Sect on taken subby the size, weight; or design of the boat to be i ly O the line of Figure 7. transported. Figure 10 is a detail perspective view 01' the 25 Fifth, to provide an improved socket and plug oregoing Wheel replacing d estructure which is assisted by the buoyancy of u e 11 is a detail sect ona V ew. parts bethe wheel in making connection, said structure in elevation, of a further ficat lncluding interengaging means to prevent rela- Figure 12 is a cross Section Of a b at i lust attive turning of the plug and securing means to s a detachable mounting on the P p 0f 30 prevent the plug from dropping out of the socket. the mounting in Figure blii disclosing pl Sixth, to provide a tie rod which is attachable ficatien in Structure?- from on tub axl t th other for t purpose Figure 13 is a section substantially on the line of preventing appreciable movement of'the wheel 3i3 of Figure 12, the tie rod being t edcarriers with reference to the boat during over- Figure 14 is a cr ss Sect on taken on the line 35 land tran p rtati M-M of Figure 12, particularly illustrating the Seventh, to provide compensating means f construction of the knuckle or universal joint. positioning the wheels perpendicularly to the F re 1 is a secti n taken on the line i 5-l5 road and parallel to the line of travel, in other of Figure 14, the D i thep in Figure 40 words into an eillcient operating position so as 15 agreeing in Position With corresponding Parts 40 to minimize tire wear, said means including a in ur knuckle enabling adjusting the wheel spindle Figure 16 1S 8 detail P sp v V ew of a tool into any radial position within limits. o be used in applying e t e rod.

Eighth, to provide a wheel spindle which stands e s e is a partially plan a d sectional view in an originally oil-centered position th of a modification of the knucle or universal joint 5 spect to the slot series, inother words, in radi l in Figures 12 and 15. deviation from a center erected perpendicularly Figure 18 is a partially sectional and side elefrom the circumferential slot series, enabling the vationai view of the same structure.

establishment of the spindle in a new zone of ad- This app at n s a iiva in part of th anjustment upon turning it over and thereby proplication for patent for boat or other vehicle filed 50 viding a sector of vertical; adjustment twice by Carl R. Livermon June 9, 1930, Serial No. that which is possible if the original position 459,993 and allowed June 29, 1931.

of the spindle were perpendicular to the slot It has already been indicated in the foregoing series. brief statements of the objects of the invention 5:, Other objects and advantages will appear in that one of the purposes is to equip a boat with the boatup on the shore. w l r pla n d vi e. 20

' and who are desirous of supplementing their automotive equipment with a boat.

It isdeemed objectionable to leave the wheels.

on the boat while the latter is afloat. For this reason the wheels are detachably mounted so that after they have served their purpose in launching the boat they can be taken off and stowed in a safe place. In providing the wheels with the facility of detachability the equipment of the boat is given an important accessory.

The wheels herein used are of the pneumatic tire variety. These are capable of floating, and in addition to sustaining the weight of the metallic parts are also capable of sustaining substantial additional weights. It is, therefore, proposed to utilize the wheels as life preservers in an emergency.

Reference is made to the drawings. These illustrate a number of modifications, and where -corresponding parts occur in the various views the boat '(Fig. 3) this arrangement is not necessarily adhered to because there would be no purpose in having a free flow of water through the tube. However, for a simple arrangement, and one which enables the ready insertion of the axle 4 the tube 5 is left open at its ends as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The detachable mounting 2 comprises a shaft .6 upon one end of which the bearing cones of the wheels 2 will be mounted. This shaft is fitted with a hand wheel 1 by means of which the shaft can be turned either for screwing it into or out of the adjacent end of the axle 4. For this purpose the shaft has a threaded portion 8 for screwing into a correspondingly threaded recess 9 at the outer end of a tapering socket ill in the end of. the axle l. The recess 9 has a bevelled entrance 9. The purpose in tapering the socket is to facilitate the insertion of a tapering endii of the shaft 6. The extremity of the tapering end has a ball i2 which is adapted to seat snugly in the correspondingly rounded bottom of the socket Ill.

By making useof the ball i2 and making the taper of the end ii more abrupt than the socket ID a great deal of friction is eliminated while inserting and withdrawing the axle. Moreover, the use of the ball i2 obviates the possibility of the axle end H ever jamming in the socket I0. In

' other words, when the ball i 2 is loosened from the socket at this point of connection the entire end Ii will be free for withdrawal.

Reverting to the axle l, to which reference has been made, it is observed that this has an upstanding lug ii at. each end. Into this lug is screwed the threaded extremity of a pin I. The combined lugand pin constitute a guide or pilot for a compression spring. i5, and by virtue of extending up into .a casing II for partly containing the spring, serve to keep the axle 4 from turning over in the direction of the length of the boat as well as pulling it to either side.

The casing I5 is part of .a bracket i6 (Fig. 4) attached to the tube 5 as well as to the sideand bottom of the boat and communicates with the latter through an opening IT. The spring i5 passes through this opening to a point of bearing on the axle 4, this point being defined by a cupped washer i8. A plug i9 closes the upper end of the casing. All joints around the casing are Water tight.

In order that the spring i5 may function as a shock absorber during the transportation of the boat over land the tube 5 is made oval in cross section (Fig. 4). The tendency of the spring i5 is to seat the axle l on the bottom of the tube. During transportation the weight of the boat will lift the axle from the bottom of the tube and the axle will oscillate in the tube according to the Jars and vibrations occurring during transit.

Thus far it will be understood that the wheel 2 (making reference to only one) is readily attachable and detachable by means of the hand wheel 1. This is used to screw the shaft 6 into the end of the axle 4. After the boat has been launched far enough from the shore so that the wheelZ clears the bottom, the occupant will reach over and unscrew the shaft by means of the hand wheel 1. The wheel is stowed somewhere on the boat until the time arrives to replace it.

In Figure 5 the axle is made in two parts 20, 2 I. This is done to avoid the propeller shaft 22 which in some instances would be in the way The near ends of the two-part axle are pivoted at 23 at points adjacent to the propeller shaft. In some broad constructions the propeller shaft 22 may be so situated as to involve the necessity of carryingthe two-part axle across the top instead of beneath.

The tube [is correspondingly dished to avoid the propeller shaft, as is also the bottom 24 of the boat, although the latter is not dished to such a marked degree. The bracket i6 and its accessories is the same as the structure in Figure 3. but in lieu'of the guide means i3, it the axle member is provided with a rounded protuberance 25 upon which the correspondingly shaped concavity 26 of a spring case 21 is. seated.

In the transportation of the boat in Figure 5 there will be an up and down motion of each axle member 20, 2 i. The spring 21 is guided in the casing 15. It is necessary that there should be some compensation for the difference in motion, and it is the protuberance 25 and concavity 26 that furnish a ball and socket joint between which the spring case 21 may easily 'move relatively to the axle member during the rocking of the latter.

Figure 6 illustrates a simplification of the socalled bracket l6". v'I'he identity of the wheel attachment with the showings in Figures 3 and 5 is to be noted. The bracket now merely comprises a fitting 28, appropriately secured to the boat,

and provided with a socket l0 into which the tapering and ball end. of the shaft 6 are inserted as before. This ,style of bracket will be suitable served that'the hand wheel 1 is omitted, shaft 6 t auaess opening 29 (Fig. 7), a boss 83 and a keeper". This keeper is a lug upstanding from the opposite end of the shaft 3, this end of the shaft being broadened (Fig. 9). The upper end of the keeper is sharpened at 32 in order to facilitate introduction in a socket 33 in the underside of a latch 'block 34 which is built in as a part of the axle member.

This axle member 2| (Fig. -7) may be regarded the same as the member 2| in Figure 5, the axle being a two-part aifair. A latch 33 is projectible through an opening 36 in the keeper 3| for the purpose of assisting in securing the axle 8. The mounting of the axle is completed by a stud 31, (Figs. 7 and 9) which is screwed into the boss 33. It is solely by the latch 33 and the stud 31 that the axle 6 is held in place in the modification in Figure '7.

The stud 31 has a head 33 to which a wrench is applicable for turning in either direction. A flange 38 on the stud provides a swivel mounting in reference to the latch 35 and a web III that forms part of the block 34. The web .is produced by the provision of a recess 4| in which the flange 38 is accommodated. The mounting of the stud 31 is perfectly loose until the boss of the axle 8 is which when turned will drive the latch either to the left or right (Fig. '7) to engage or release the keeper 3|. The'wrench (notshown), to which reference has been made will be of the type having a pinion at amend and a socket at the other. When the pinion end of the wrench is inserted through a tube t3 and brought into engagement with the rack 42, turning of the wrench will move the latch 35 to the left to secure the keeper 3i. Upon a reversal of the wrench the socket end will be fitted over the head 38 to screw the stud 3! home, as already explained. For the first purpose, the pinion end will have a recess large enough to fit over the head 38 and permit turning of the wrench without being obstructed.

A slot 44 (Figs, '1 and 8) in the latch 35 accommodates the stud 37. The latch is slidable in reference to the stud in a passage 65 in the block 34. A chamber 45 (Fig. 9) communicates with this passage. 38 is accessible through an opening 61 in the concavity 26 of the spring case 2?. The tube d3, which is in line with the opening t? and chamber 46, extendings approximately level with the gunwale of the boat and has its mounting in the closure l9.

Thus far it will be understood that in the act of applying the wheel 2 (Fig. 7) the axle will be fitted under the edge of the boat with the boss 33 in line with the socket 33. The latch 35 and stud 31 are then operated successively to secure the axle 6 in position.

This end is facilitated by a wheel replacing device which comprises a rod 48 having a bent end 49 to enter the opening 29 in the axle 6. 'A collar 50 limits the insertionand affords a rest. At its of the boat will insert the end 48 in the opening 29 of the axle 6 and clasp the wheel with the yoke It is in this chamber that the head.

3i He now has a competent connection through which the wheel and axle can be lowered over the side by means of the cable 33.

some kind of an indicating mark will be applied to the side of the boat with which the rod 43 will be registered in lowering. The spacing between the rod 43 and the boss 30 is such that the latter will be exactly in line with the stud 31 when the bent end .49 engages the boat side. Upon now pulling up on the cable 53 the boss 38 will be brought into registration with the stud and the sharpened end 32 of the keeper 3| moved into the 8 The purpose of sharpening the keeper 3| a't32 is to facilitate the introduction of the latter into the socket 33. For the same purpose the transyerse ends of the keeper will -be begelled at 54 (Fig. 9). If by any chance the occupaniflihould be unable to make a perfect registrationof the keeper with the socket the foregoing bevelwill compensate for his inability and enable the insertion notwithstanding. After the keeper has once been inserted its rectangular cross section and the elongated-shape of the socket 33 -will insure registration of the boss 30 with the stud 31 without any further necessity of the occupant keeping the*bent end 48 in linewith the indicating mark on the side of the" boat.

The distinction in Figure 5, broughtv out'in reference to the change in shape of the tube 5,

indicates the adaptability of the attachment to boats having various dispositions of the power plant. In Figure 11 the motor 55 is so iocated that it well provides a mounting for theetube 5, which in this instance is made sectional. A suitable .collar 58 provides the mounting of one end. of the tube upon the side of the motor. The axle member 2| is pivoted uponthe tube in the manner already understood. Ini'ts-other respects the arrangement in Figure 11 is identical with that in Figure 5. r I V The operation may be briefly repeated to advantage. The wheels 2 are used only for the transportation of the boat I over land excepting in a case of emergency when either one or both may be used as a life preserver. After the boat has been launched and the wheels run clear of the bottom they will be taken oii by means of the detachable mountings. In Figures 2, 3 and .5 the occupant will reach over board and turn the hand wheel 1 until he has unscrewed the shaft 8 from the socket iii of the axle d or members 20, 2| as the case may be.

Should he accidently drop a wheel he will be release the stud 31 from the boss wgand retract the latch 35 by virtue of working the pinion against the rack 42. Here it is not essential to apply the wheel replacing device 63, although it might be applied if desired. Ordinarilythe ocby hand.

In replacing the wheels preparatory to landcupant will reach over and pull the wheel aboard ing. the foregoing acts are reversed as will readily be understood. In the instance of Fig-- shaft 6. However; having gotten the latter in 7 place the hand wheel I is turned until a firmconnection is'made'. At this point it may be well to observe that the tube 5 is flush with the side of the boat. There are no protruding parts to interfere with the passage of. the latter through the water when the wheels are removed. This is true of all forms of the invention.

Revertingto the application of the wheels,.use will be made of the wheel replacing device 48 when replacing the wheel 2 in the modification inFigure 7. It is deemed unnecessary to repeat the description of themode of applying this de-,

vice,' or repeating the description of the mode of extending the latch and tightening the studs 81.

Figures 12v to 15 illustrate a structure which works on the general principle of that in Figure 7, but it embodies certain simplifications and improvements which are now described. The bracket in Figure 2, for example, has its counterpart in the bracket 51. This has a tapering socket 58 open at the bottom but closed at the top by a web 59. As a matter of practice it is immaterial whether the socket occurs in the bracket as in Figures 6 and 12, in the ends of an axle as in Figures 2 and 5 or elsewhere. .The principle is to provide a socket structure into which the plug of a wheel carrier is insertible preparatory to making a fixed connection. Revert to Figure 12. Above the web there is a chamber 60 occupied by the head 5| of a bolt 52, and by the socket 53 of a wrench bar 84. The upper squared end 55. of this bar is exposed above the cap '55 of a tube 81 screwed into the chamber 60 to house the bar and provide means for preventing water leaking into the boat.

The lower end of the tube 51 provides an outstanding annular shoulder from which the top of the socket 63 is normally spaced. After a period of unscrewing of the bolt 52 the top of the socket 'will engage the outstanding shoulder and then compose a swivel connection. Upon continued turning of the wrench bar M the plug into which the bolt 82 is screwed will be driven out of the tapering socket 55 as is later explained.

Afoot piece 68 extends inwardly with respect to the boat. i. Securing means 59 goes through this foot and through the bottom of the boat. The securing means may be applied otherwise, and corresponding means 69 are used to similarthe general contour. This contour includes an enlarged base ii (Fig. 13) which runs at right angles to the axis of the tapering socket 58 in the general "direction of the length of the boat.

' This base is made with a substantially semicircular recess 12 which communicates with the socket 55. This'recess is continued through the socket 58. This is intended to agree with the generally prevailing angle between the side and bottom of a boat. It is rare that this angle is the same in any two boats, and inorder to enable a tight fit of the bracket 51 into the corner pro-.

vision is made of shims 14, I5 of wood which are shaved down totheproper thickness and into taperingform if necessary, or otherwise cut away until their emplacement behind and beneath the bracket results'in a snug fit.

The detachable mounting or wheel carrier,

from thecommon center 8i.

again denominated 3 comprises what is now distinguished as a stub axle 16. This includes a plug 11' which is tapered to fit the socket 58. It has across bar 18; '(Fig. 13) which rests in the recess 12 for the/purpose of preventing turning of the stub axle. The plug 11 has a threaded hole 19 in its top end to receive the bolt 62, and when that bolt'is turned in the proper direction the plug 11 will be held tightly in the socket 58.

A rod 80 is made integrally with the stub axle 16, itsportion 80 beinga fixed distance from the axial center of the plug 11. After a certain distance the rod is bent outwardly and terminates in a handle 8| which facilitates manipulation. In emplacing the stub axle as in Figure 12 the portion 80' acts as a gauge, striking the side of the boat and guiding the plug 11 into position for movement into the socket. In other words, the portion 80- prevents the plug II from going under farther than the socket 58. After the final connection is made the rod 80 extends up beside the boat so that the handle so is well within the reach of the operator in readiness for the detachment of the mounting 3 when the time arrives. A knuckle or universal joint, generally designated 52, forms an important part of the im-' provement. Its chief purpose is to provide an independent adjustment for the wheels 2 so that these may be stood perpendicularly to the road and parallel to the line of travel in each of a number of boats to which the mounting 3 may be.

second boat it may be and probably will be found that the axis to the next socket 58 is situated differently with respect to the road. This will necessitate a further adjustment of the knuckle 52, and the provisions of the latter are all toward the end of making the adjustments universal within certain limits.

The structure of the knuckle comprises a semi- This is an inte spherical annulus (Fig. 15) gral part of the stub axle 18, being connected with it by a crossed webbing 84 (Fig. 14) which, by nature of its form, leaves ample spaces through which the nuts 85 of bolts 85 are acces sible. A semi-spherical cup 81 is applied to the annulus 03. The members ll, 81 are, in effect,

a ball and socket joint. The bolts 86 are used to secure the cup 81' in various positions on the annulus II.

For the purpose of admitting the bolts and at the same time making turning adjustments of the cup 51 both vertically and circumferentially with respect to the annulus 83, the latter and the cup 81 areprovided with slots N, 89 at right angles to each other so as to assume the form of a cross when viewed in plan. The slots 89 permit the vertical adjustments, assuming the nuts to have been loosened, while the slots 88 permit the circumferential adjustments.

Note is to be made of the fact that the outer surface of the annulus 83 and the inner surface of the cup 51 are struck from the common center 90 (Fig. 15). The inner surface of the annulus l3 and the outer surface ofthe cup 01 are struck The remote surfaces oi 55 and .1 are therefore off-center with respect tothe common adjacent surfaces.

The efiect of these provisions is first a freedom lustment. Should there be a tendency of the cup l'| to turn in any direction on the center so the enlargement 93 on the side oppositethe direction of turning would crowd under the heads of the bolts 88 in that zone, and in doing so would jam so as to prevent actual turning.

The enlargements 92, 93 have the further effect of aiding the bolts and nuts in drawing the cup Bl tightly against the annulus at. The remote surfaces are parallel to each other by virtue of being struck from the common center ti. The adjacent contacting surfaces are not parallel to the remote surfaces. This variance brings about a wedge action when the nuts 85 are tightened on the bolts to, drawing the cup Bl tightly against the annulus as already stated.

The oil-setting oi the center at does not necessarily occur along the axis of the knuckle 32. The center 81 might be placed to one side of the axis for the striking of a dlflerent set of remote curves for each oi the four bolts 8t. This is merely an enlargement of the principle already described. Its sheet will be to exaggerate the remote curves with respect to the curvatures on the aflacent contacting surface, and to stand the bolts at a more decided inclination with respect to those surfaces so as to accentuate the wedge action already mentioned.

The-wheel spindle 9d occupies an ofi-center position with respect to the circumferential series of slots 89. In other words, the axis is of the spindle 96 has a radial deviation from the perpendicular st of the slot series, considering the axes 9t and ed as originating from the common center til.

The amount of ofi-centering herein given as an example is 8. The reason for ofi-centering the spindle is to enable turning the cup t'l completely over, thereby establishing the spindlev as in a new zone of vertical adjustment. The total amount of adjustment of which the spindle 9t is capable occurs within a sector of 24.

Take the dtion in Figure 15. The spindle st has been adjusted so that its axis t5 has been brought down to coincide with the horizontal plane. The resultis that the axis of the respective wheel is horizontal, and the wheel stands perpendicular to the road.

In this adjustment the left end of the upper slot and the right end of the lower slot as will be stopped by the bolts 85. The remaining ends of the slots accommodate an adjmtment of the spindle from the plane at to an extent of 12. Upon turning the cup t'l completely over, the positions of the slots will be reversed and the zone of adjustment oi the spindle will be 12 in the downward direction.

The foregoing figures are merely illustrative. The original oil-center setting of the axis 95 with respect to the slot series may be more or less thand. If the axis 98 were perpendicular to the slot series, and not off-centered as it must now be understood to be, the range of adjustment would be strictly limited to the length of the slots 88 and the zone of-adjustment would be only half or what it is with the spindle 94 oncentered as described.

Vibration of the boat during overland transportation would be likely to set up'objectionable strains in each oi' the wheel carriers 3, and in' order to prevent these, in other words make the wheel carriers as rigid with the boat as possible, provision is made of a tie rod 91 which is secured at 98, M to the opposite stub axles it. The

heels of these axles are slotted at IN) to receive the ends of the tie rod. The tie rod is longitudinally adjustable at ifll. One end of the rod screws in to the companion portion, and the adjustments are set with a lock nut.

The securing means 98, 98 comprise removable plus. The tie rod 97 is placed in the position as shown in Figure 12 only during overland tI'&IlS-. portation. The rod is removed prior to launching the boat. In order to fit the tie rod in place it is necessary to use a tool of the type illustrated in Figure 16. This tool comprises a lever W2 with a hooked or equivalently shaped end I03. The lever carries a fulcrum bar iilt which terminates in a loop I05 or its equivalent. In order to enable the use of the tool the tie rod and stub axles it have projections Hi6, EM.

In use the tool (Fig. 16) -is held substantially horizontal. The loop Hi5 is hooked over the pro-,

jection m and the book we is engaged with the projection I08. -A turn of the lever Hi2 in the clockwise direction (looking down) will draw it and 97 together until the holes register and en-' able the pin 89 to he slipped in. The opposite end of the tie rod was previously amxed to the other stub axle by means of the pin 9t.

T In order to facilitate the application of the tie rod one or both of the stub axles it are provided with bridge pieces lull which span the slots act. One end of the tie rod is providedwith an extension illil which is temporarily rested on one of the bridge pieces while the opposite end of the tie rod is brought to position and secured to the other stub axle.

In doing that the tie rod t'l is naturally turned through the arc of a circle, and the extension its moves on the respective bridge piece as a fulcrum. That bridge piece then guides the hole in the extension into line with the holes in the respective stub axle. The tool (Fig. 16) is then applied, and when pressure is put on it in the proper direction all of the holes are drawn into registration in readiness to. receive the pin 98.

The squared end t'tl oi the wrench'bar as is squared end is indirectly accessible by a, suitable wrench. Either the hole ill or the squared end 55 will serve as a sight across which the rod Bill will be gauged by the operator as an aid in working the plug ll into the socket 58. In addition to securing the bracket ill by the means 69 (Figs. 12 and '13), braces H2 may be employed as in Figure 13. These are simply iron straps suitably secured to the cap 68 at one end and to the sides and bottom of the boat at the other end, the latter being turned to suit the contour of the boat.

Figures 17 and 18, as previously indicated, illustrate a modification of the knuckle or universal joint in Figures 12 and 15. The structure in Figures 17 and 18 is a simplification of the latter, but special conditions will determine whether one or the other is preferable in use. According to the modification the spindle I I3 carries a plate I, usually circular but not necessarily so, which has a pair 01- lugs I I5 branching out in back of it. These lugs fit over the hub part H8 01 a plug ill lid (similar to I I in Fig. 3), and the fitting in of a bolt II8, orits equivalent, completes the hinge connection on which the spindle is capable of turning horizontally.

This turning is limited and the spindle is adjusted in position with respect to the boat by a pair of set screws IIII. These are threaded into and through lugs I20 on the sides of the hub part II6, a little below the center (Fig. 18) until they engage the back, of the plate 4. It is'p'erfectly ing in the original adjustment of the socket with respect to the member I22.

For this purpose the second hole in the plug I I! which takes the bolt I24 is in the form of a-slot (Fig-i8). When the proper vertical adjustment of the plug II'I is-arrived at thenut on the bolt I24 is tightened, and a sealing substance, for, example Babbitt metal or lead is run into the slot (Fig. 18) through a duct I25 (Fig. 17). The slot space around the bolt I24 is thus completely filled with metal which, when hardened, absolutely fixes the plug .I I1 in its adjusted position. When desiring to disassemble the construction the two bolts are simply taken out and the plug I ll pulled from its position. The metal can either be knocked or melted out. 1

The operation is readily understood, and perhaps to particular advantage when considered in connection with Figure 12. The operator will attach the wheels 2 prior to landing. He takes hold of the handle 8| and by sighting the top part of the handle across either the hole II I or squared end 65, holds the handle out at an appropriate distance from the side of the boat, preferably at an angle, and presses down. The plug TI, at first tending to drag the side of the boat, will soon go under whereupon the buoyancy of the wheel 2 (the wheel also being at an angle)-will cause the plug to float-up into its inserted position in the socket 58. It may be explained that the wheel is not always carried in the boat; in some instances the wheel may be moored in the water at a. suitable anchorage; But in any case the handle is manipulated in the manner already explained in connecting the wheel with the boat.

Should the entrance to the socket 58 not be found the top end of the plug 11 will most likely enter the. recess I2, whereupon it becomes merely a matter of shifting to one side or the other until the plug does enter the socket. The buoyancy of the wheel 2 combined with an upward pull by the operator completes the connection of the plug and socket. The stub axle It occupies its final true position when the cross bar 18 drops into the recess 12.

The next act is to apply a wrench to the squared end 65. This screws the bolt 62 home and holds the plug ll absolutely tight. After having landed, the tie rod 91 is applied in the manner already brought out in detail.

Assume that the boat is'about to be launched, the wheels having been secured in an earlier operation as described above. After the boat is floated the wheels 2 are to be removed. The wrench is applief. to the squared end 65 whereupon turning occurs until the top of the socket 63 engages the lower rim of the tube 61. Until this time there is merely an unscrewing of the bolt, but when engagement occurs the socket BI is converted into a swivel-member which upon continued turning forcibly loosens the plug 'll from its tapering socket 68. The operator then takes hold of the handle CI and bears down'until he totally disengages the plug l'l, whereupon he hauls the wheel 2 aboard.

' It is apparent from the last description that the socket 62 is finally converted into a pressure member by'which the plug 11 is loosened.- Were it not for the initial unscrewing of the bolt 02 prior to loosening the plug it is likely that some difficulty would arise in making the disconnec-' tion. For example, if the loosening act occurred simultaneously with the beginning of unscrewing of the bolt 82 the buoyancy of the wheel 2 would throw the plug 11 enough off-center to possibly damage the threads of the bolt 02. I

By delaying the forcible loosening until the last part of the unscrewing of the bolt the latter will be so nearly out of the hole 19 by the time the plug 11 begins to wabble, that no damage will result.

In addition to the invention being an improve- I ment in boats, it has a broader aspect in which the attachment is featured as a principal part. It is conceivable that the attachment might be applied to vehicles otherthan boats, and when so applied made to function in precisely the same manner. That is to say, the attachment would and on the shaft being fully connected when itsend' is seated.

2. A vehicle, an attachment comprising a combined wheel and screw shaft on which the wheel is journalled, a screw socket in the vehicle, and means on the shaft by which to turn it when the screw part of the shaft is in place in the socket.

3. A vehicle, means on the vehicle having a tapering socket and a threaded recess, a wheel, and a shaft on which the wheel is journalled, having a threaded portion and a tapering end terminating in a ball insertible in the socket to bring the threaded portion and recess into registration.

4. A vehicle, a wheel therefor having a shaft for its journalled support, an axle member movably mounted on the vehicle to which axle memher the shaft is attachable. and resilient means bearing on the axle member, providing a shock absorber for the cushioned support of the vehicle when the wheel is mounted.

5. A vehicle, a wheel therefor having a shaft for its journalled support, an axle member swingably mounted at one end oh the vehicle to which axle member the shaft is attachable, and resilient some of the ,claims are drawn with,

means bearing on the opposite end of said member, tending to resist its swinging movements.

the wheel is attachable for over-land transportation of the boat, and means in which the axle is I movable, being fitted in the boat to exclude water when the boat is launched.

7. Aboat, a wheel having a shait attachable to the boat for its over-land transportation, and socket means in which the shaft is fitted and from which the shaft is removable when the boat is launched, said means being flush with the boat surface to avoid obstruction to the passage of the boat through the water.

-8. In combination with a boat, an axle member movably mounted on the boat and having a socket, and a wheel attachable to the boat for its over-land transportation. having a shaft securable in the socket.

9. In combination with a boat,,an axle member having a-socket, a wheel having a shaft movably mounted on the boat and being securable in the socket, a spring to cushion the movable axle member, a bracket amxed to the boat having'a casing receiving part of the spring, and guide means on the-axle member piloting the spring and extending into the casing to prevent turning or pulling out of said axle member.

10. In combination with a boat, a tube having an end open at the side of the boat, a bracket in which the tube is secured being afllxed to the boat and having a casing communicating with the tube, a wheel having a shaft, an axle member to which the shaft is securable being movable in the tube, a spring in the casing extending through theopening and bearing on the tube to cushion its movements, and guide means on the axle member extending through the opening into the casing, piloting the spring and preventing turning or pulling out of the axle member. 11: In combination with a boat, a tube having an open end in communication with the outside of the boat, an axle member pivoted in the tube and having'a socket, a wheel having a shaft in sertible in the socket at the open end of the tube, a spring bearing on the axle member to cushion its pivotal movements, and means constituting a ball and socket joint between the spring and axle member.

12. A boat having a bevelled entrance opening in one side a bracket secured to the boat having a fitting with a socket communicating with the opening, said socket having a threaded recess', and a wheel attachable to the boat, having a shaftewith a tapering end insertible through the opening into the socket, said end having a threaded portion to be screwed into said recess.

13. A boat, a movable axle having a latch block with a socket, a screw stud swivelled on the iatchblock, awheel having a shaft with a boss into which thestudds screwed and a keeper having an end with an opening insertible in the socketyand a latch guided on the latch block, havinga rack which is operable to slide the latch through said opening and assist the stud in holdmg the shaft in place.

.having a shaifiwith a boss in which the stud is securable and a keeper to enter the socket, and means temporarily attachable to the wheel and shaft for suspending the wheel overboard preparatory to mounting it on the boat, said means 'being engageable with the side of the boat in a predetermined position to approximately register theboss and keeper with the respective screw stud and socket.

15. In a vehicle for land and water transportation, a pneumatic-tired wheel tosupport the vehicle on land and capable of floating in the water, means on which. the wheel is mounted constituting the sole connection of the wheel with the "ehicle, and a hand wheel on said means operable by reaching over the side of the vehicle for disconnection of the wheel and subsequent use as a life preserver.

16. In a boat, an attachment for the over-land transportation of the boat and operable from inside of the boat while afloat comprising a receiving locking means on the boat,,wheel carrier means comprising a complemental lock, said carrier means having a buoyant wheel 'revolubly secured thereon and being normally separate from the boat, and means extending from the carrier means within reach of a Person in the boat, capable of manual handling from inside of the boat for resisting the tendency of the wheel to float and supporting when overboard and manipulating the wheel carrier means into locking position with the receiving locking means.

1'7. In a boat, a normally detached wheel which is temporarily attachable for the over-land transportation of the boat, a plug and socket structure to be interfitted so as to attach the wheel to the boat, said wheel being carried by one of said structures, and manually operable means attached to the structure which carries the wheel, extending into approximate level with the gunwale of the boat for overboard manipulation of the wheel while the boatis afloat until said plug and socket structure are registered.

- 18. In a boat, a wheel, an axle structure revolubly carrying the wheel and being attachable to the boat for its over-land transportation,

means on the boat to'which the axle structure is attachable, means on the axle structure extending up beside the boat into approximate line with the gunwale to enable manipulating the axle structure from inside of the boat, securing means accessible from within the boat for securing or releasing the axle structure, and means combined with said means on the boat for preventing the leaking in of water around said securing means.

l9. In'a boat, a socket carried by the boat and being. accessible from the outside of the boat, said socket having a recessed member on the out side of the boat, a wheel, carrier means for the wheel having a plug, means by which the carrier means is manually operable when the wheel is overboard to engage the plug with the recess for guidance into the socket, and means on the carrier means then dropping into the recess'to prevent the plug from turning.

20. In a boat, a socket carried by the boat and being accessible from the outside of the boat, said socket having a recessed member on the outside of the boat, a wheel, carrier means for the wheel having aplug, means by which the carrier means is manually operable when the wheel is overboard to engage the plug with the recess for guidance into the socket, means on the carrier means then dropping into the recess to prevent the plug from turning, and wrench-operable means carried by the socket to be screwed into the plug to make a permanent connection.

21. In a boat, a wheel for the over-land transportation of the boat, a spindle on which it is revoluble, an axle structure, plug and socket structure for making a connection of the axle structure with the boat so as tolocate the axle structure in a predetermined position with respect to the boat,

'axle structure for universally adjusting the spindle within limits with respect to the axle structure, said knuckle comprising an annulus on the axle structure and a cup on the spindle, said annulus and cup having crossed slots, and securing means going through the slots to hold the annulus and cup in interengagement.

22. In a boat, a wheel for the over-land transportation of the boat, aspindle on which the wheel is revoluble, an axle structure, interconnectible means respectively on the boat and the axle structure for afilxing the wheel to the boat, a knuckle connecting the spindle with the axle structure,means for making adjustment in the knuckle so as to variously dispose the spindle with respect to the axle structure, means for selflocking the spindle from movement after an adjustment has beenmade, said means comprising an annulus on the axle structure and a cup on the spindle, being in contact and having the contacting surfaces struck from a common center. the remote surfaces being struck in common on a different center to enlarge opposite portions of the annulus and cup, and tightening means going through the annulus and cup against which the enlarged portions are adapted to jam.

23. In a vehicle, an axle member mounted on the'vehicle and having a smooth tapering socket,

' a wheel, ashaft on whlch the wheel is Journaled .wheel, and a handle attached to the axle structure for so manipulating said structure overboard as to utilize the buoyancy of the wheel in driving the plug into the socket.

26. A boat having means providing'a socket having an opening underneath the boat a limited distance from its side, an axle structure having a plug and a buoyant wheel, and a handle aflixed to said structure for manipulating said structure overboard to utilize the buoyancyof the wheel in inserting the plug in the socket, said handle having a portion adapted to engage the-side of the.

boat and limit the position of the plug under the boat.

27. In a boat, a pneumatictired wheel for the boat, and means enabling .the double use of said, 

